1

A small block of weight 18 N is held at rest on a smooth plane inclined at 30◦ to the horizontal, by a
force of magnitude P N. Find
(i) the value of P when the force is parallel to the plane, as in Fig. 1, [2]
(ii) the value of P when the force is horizontal, as in Fig. 2. [3]
9709/04/O/N/04

Each of three light strings has a particle attached to one of its ends. The other ends of the strings are
tied together at a point A. The strings are in equilibrium with two of them passing over fixed smooth
horizontal pegs, and with the particles hanging freely. The weights of the particles, and the angles
between the sloping parts of the strings and the vertical, are as shown in the diagram. Find the values
of W1 and W2 . [6]
© UCLES 2005 9709/04/O/N/05

A particle P is in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal table under the action of horizontal forces of
magnitudes F N, F N, G N and 12 N acting in the directions shown. Find the values of F and G. [6]
© UCLES 2006 9709/04/M/J/06
4

A particle is in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal table when acted on by the three horizontal forces
shown in the diagram.

(i) Find the values of F and θ . [4]

(ii) The force of magnitude 7 N is now removed. State the magnitude and direction of the resultant
of the remaining two forces. [2]
© UCLES 2007 9709/04/O/N/07

5
FN

O q°
10 N

13 N

Three horizontal forces of magnitudes F N, 13 N and 10 N act at a fixed point O and are in equilibrium.
The directions of the forces are as shown in the diagram. Find, in either order, the value of θ and the
value of F . [5]

© UCLES 2008 9709/04/M/J/08

6
PN

PN

40° 40°

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

A small block of weight 12 N is at rest on a smooth plane inclined at 40◦ to the horizontal. The block
is held in equilibrium by a force of magnitude P N. Find the value of P when
(i) the force is parallel to the plane as in Fig. 1, [2]
(ii) the force is horizontal as in Fig. 2. [2]
© UCLES 2009 9709/42/O/N/09

7
P1 P2

A C
B

The diagram shows three particles A, B and C hanging freely in equilibrium, each being attached to
the end of a string. The other ends of the three strings are tied together and are at the point X . The
strings carrying A and C pass over smooth fixed horizontal pegs P1 and P2 respectively. The weights
of A, B and C are 5.5 N, 7.3 N and W N respectively, and the angle P1 XP2 is a right angle. Find the
angle AP1 X and the value of W . [5]
© UCLES 2010 9709/41/O/N/10
8
6N

FN P a°

5N

FN

A particle P is in equilibrium on a smooth horizontal table under the action of four horizontal forces
of magnitudes 6 N, 5 N, F N and F N acting in the directions shown. Find the values of α and F. [6]
© UCLES 2010 9709/42/O/N/10

9
A q

q 15.5 N
B R

A small smooth ring R of weight 8.5 N is threaded on a light inextensible string. The ends of the
string are attached to fixed points A and B, with A vertically above B. A horizontal force of magnitude
15.5 N acts on R so that the ring is in equilibrium with angle ARB = 90◦ . The part AR of the string
makes an angle θ with the horizontal and the part BR makes an angle θ with the vertical (see diagram).
The tension in the string is T N. Show that T sin θ = 12 and T cos θ = 3.5 and hence find θ . [6]
© UCLES 2011 9709/41/M/J/11
10
12 N
FN

30° P q°

10 N

The three coplanar forces shown in the diagram act at a point P and are in equilibrium.

(i) Find the values of F and θ . [6]

(ii) State the magnitude and direction of the resultant force at P when the force of magnitude 12 N
is removed. [2]
© UCLES 2011 9709/42/M/J/11

11
12 N
FN

P
a°

15 N

Three coplanar forces of magnitudes F N, 12 N and 15 N are in equilibrium acting at a point P in the
directions shown in the diagram. Find α and F . [4]
© UCLES 2012 9709/42/M/J/12
12
A
q°

R
11.2 N

A smooth ring R of mass 0.16 kg is threaded on a light inextensible string. The ends of the string
are attached to fixed points A and B. A horizontal force of magnitude 11.2 N acts on R, in the same
vertical plane as A and B. The ring is in equilibrium. The string is taut with angle ARB = 90◦ , and
the part AR of the string makes an angle of θ ◦ with the horizontal (see diagram). The tension in the
string is T N.

(i) Find two simultaneous equations involving T sin θ and T cos θ . [3]

(ii) Hence find T and θ . [3]

© UCLES 2012 9709/43/M/J/12

13
A B

S2
S1 0.2 m 0.25 m
0.52 m

21 N

A particle P of weight 21 N is attached to one end of each of two light inextensible strings, S1 and S2 ,
of lengths 0.52 m and 0.25 m respectively. The other end of S1 is attached to a fixed point A, and the
other end of S2 is attached to a fixed point B at the same horizontal level as A. The particle P hangs
in equilibrium at a point 0.2 m below the level of AB with both strings taut (see diagram). Find the
tension in S1 and the tension in S2 . [6]

© UCLES 2012 9709/43/O/N/12

14
y
FN

2.5 N
q P b
x
a

2.6 N

A particle P of mass 0.5 kg lies on a smooth horizontal plane. Horizontal forces of magnitudes F N,
2.5 N and 2.6 N act on P. The directions of the forces are as shown in the diagram, where tan ! = 12
5
7
and tan " = 24 .

(i) Given that P is in equilibrium, find the values of F and tan 1. [6]

(ii) The force of magnitude F N is removed. Find the magnitude and direction of the acceleration
with which P starts to move. [3]
© UCLES 2013 9709/41/M/J/13

15
A B

40 cm
50 cm
104 cm

A particle P of mass 2.1 kg is attached to one end of each of two light inextensible strings. The other
ends of the strings are attached to points A and B which are at the same horizontal level. P hangs
in equilibrium at a point 40 cm below the level of A and B, and the strings PA and PB have lengths
50 cm and 104 cm respectively (see diagram). Show that the tension in the string PA is 20 N, and find
the tension in the string PB. [5]
© UCLES 2013 9709/42/M/J/13
16
X
a

P
FN

A particle P of mass 0.3 kg is attached to one end of a light inextensible string. The other end of the
string is attached to a fixed point X . A horizontal force of magnitude F N is applied to the particle,
8
which is in equilibrium when the string is at an angle ! to the vertical, where tan ! = 15 (see diagram).
Find the tension in the string and the value of F . [4]
© UCLES 2013 9709/41/O/N/13

17

A small block of weight 5.1 N rests on a smooth plane inclined at an angle ! to the horizontal, where
8
sin ! = 17 . The block is held in equilibrium by means of a light inextensible string. The string makes
7
an angle " above the line of greatest slope on which the block rests, where sin " = 25 (see diagram).
Find the tension in the string. [3]
© UCLES 2013 9709/42/O/N/13

18
A B

1m
2.6 m 1.25 m

A particle P of mass 1.05 kg is attached to one end of each of two light inextensible strings, of lengths
2.6 m and 1.25 m. The other ends of the strings are attached to fixed points A and B, which are at the
same horizontal level. P hangs in equilibrium at a point 1 m below the level of A and B (see diagram).
Find the tensions in the strings. [6]
© UCLES 2013 9709/43/O/N/13
19
A

3m

2.4 m P
10 N

2.5 m
B

A and B are fixed points of a vertical wall with A vertically above B. A particle P of mass 0.7 kg is
attached to A by a light inextensible string of length 3 m. P is also attached to B by a light inextensible
string of length 2.5 m. P is maintained in equilibrium at a distance of 2.4 m from the wall by a
horizontal force of magnitude 10 N acting on P (see diagram). Both strings are taut, and the 10 N
force acts in the plane APB which is perpendicular to the wall. Find the tensions in the strings. [6]
© UCLES 2014 9709/42/M/J/14

20

1.5 m
0.9 m
S1

1.2 m P
O 2.24 N
S2
0.5 m
1.3 m

A particle P of weight 1.4 N is attached to one end of a light inextensible string S1 of length 1.5 m, and
to one end of another light inextensible string S2 of length 1.3 m. The other end of S1 is attached to a
wall at the point 0.9 m vertically above a point O of the wall. The other end of S2 is attached to the
wall at the point 0.5 m vertically below O. The particle is held in equilibrium, at the same horizontal
level as O, by a horizontal force of magnitude 2.24 N acting away from the wall and perpendicular to
it (see diagram). Find the tensions in the strings. [6]
© UCLES 2014 9709/43/M/J/14
21
B
18 N

18 N

30Å

Small blocks A and B are held at rest on a smooth plane inclined at 30Å to the horizontal. Each is
held in equilibrium by a force of magnitude 18 N. The force on A acts upwards parallel to a line of
greatest slope of the plane, and the force on B acts horizontally in the vertical plane containing a line
of greatest slope (see diagram). Find the weight of A and the weight of B. [4]
© UCLES 2014 9709/41/O/N/14

22



WN 7N
8N

Each of three light inextensible strings has a particle attached to one of its ends. The other ends of the
strings are tied together at a point O. Two of the strings pass over fixed smooth pegs and the particles
hang freely in equilibrium. The weights of the particles and the angles between the sloping parts of
the strings and the vertical are as shown in the diagram. It is given that sin  = 0.8 and cos  = 0.6.

(i) Show that W cos
= 3.8 and find the value of W sin
. [3]

(ii) Hence find the values of W and
. [3]

© UCLES 2014 9709/43/O/N/14
23
y
FN

25 N

tan−1 0.75 1
x
O

63 N

Three horizontal forces of magnitudes F N, 63 N and 25 N act at O, the origin of the x-axis and y-axis.
The forces are in equilibrium. The force of magnitude F N makes an angle 1 anticlockwise with the
positive x-axis. The force of magnitude 63 N acts along the negative y-axis. The force of magnitude
25 N acts at tan−1 0.75 clockwise from the negative x-axis (see diagram). Find the value of F and the
value of tan 1. [5]
© UCLES 2015 9709/41/M/J/15

24
FN

70° 20 N
A B
30° Q 15°
RN
10 N

A small bead Q can move freely along a smooth horizontal straight wire AB of length 3 m. Three
horizontal forces of magnitudes F N, 10 N and 20 N act on the bead in the directions shown in the
diagram. The magnitude of the resultant of the three forces is R N in the direction shown in the
diagram.

(i) Find the values of F and R. [5]

(ii) Initially the bead is at rest at A. It reaches B with a speed of 11.7 m s−1 . Find the mass of the
bead. [3]

© UCLES 2015 9709/41/O/N/15

25
FN

FN

60Å
15 N
O

GN

Four horizontal forces act at a point O and are in equilibrium. The magnitudes of the forces are F N,
G N, 15 N and F N, and the forces act in directions as shown in the diagram.

(i) Show that F = 41.0, correct to 3 significant figures. [3]

(ii) Find the value of G. [2]

© UCLES 2015 9709/42/O/N/15

26
50 N

1Å !Å
48 N
PN 14 N

Coplanar forces of magnitudes 50 N, 48 N, 14 N and P N act at a point in the directions shown in the
7 , find the values of P and 1.
diagram. The system is in equilibrium. Given that tan ! = 24 [6]
© UCLES 2016 9709/41/M/J/16
27
18 N
12 N

65Å 75Å

1Å

PN
15 N

The coplanar forces shown in the diagram are in equilibrium. Find the values of P and 1. [6]
© UCLES 2016 9709/43/M/J/16

28
FN

P 60Å
!Å
2F N

15 N

Three coplanar forces of magnitudes F N, 2F N and 15 N act at a point P, as shown in the diagram.
Given that the forces are in equilibrium, find the values of F and !. [6]
© UCLES 2016 9709/41/O/N/16

29
A

50Å P
10Å
B

The diagram shows a small object P of mass 20 kg held in equilibrium by light ropes attached to
fixed points A and B. The rope PA is inclined at an angle of 50Å above the horizontal, the rope PB is
inclined at an angle of 10Å below the horizontal, and both ropes are in the same vertical plane. Find
the tension in the rope PA and the tension in the rope PB. [5]
© UCLES 2016 9709/43/O/N/16
30

30Å
40Å

25 N
AN BN

Two light inextensible strings are attached to a particle of weight 25 N. The strings pass over two
smooth fixed pulleys and have particles of weights A N and B N hanging vertically at their ends. The
sloping parts of the strings make angles of 30Å and 40Å respectively with the vertical (see diagram).
The system is in equilibrium. Find the values of A and B. [6]

© UCLES 2017 9709/41/M/J/17

31
3P N

PN
55Å 1Å
1Å
PN

20 N

The four coplanar forces shown in the diagram are in equilibrium. Find the values of P and 1. [5]
© UCLES 2017 9709/43/M/J/17
32
50 N

! GN
P
50Å

FN

3F N

Coplanar forces, of magnitudes F N, 3F N, G N and 50 N, act at a point P, as shown in the diagram.

(i) Given that F = 0, G = 75 and ! = 60Å, find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
[4]
© UCLES 2017 9709/41/O/N/17

33
45Å 1Å

120 N TN

A block of mass 15 kg hangs in equilibrium below a horizontal ceiling attached to two strings as
shown in the diagram. One of the strings is inclined at 45Å to the horizontal and the tension in this
string is 120 N. The other string is inclined at 1Å to the horizontal and the tension in this string is T N.
Find the values of T and 1. [6]
© UCLES 2017 9709/42/O/N/17

34
6N

8N
O

10 N

The diagram shows three coplanar forces acting at the point O. The magnitudes of the forces are 6 N,
8 N and 10 N. The angle between the 6 N force and the 8 N force is 90Å. The forces are in equilibrium.
Find the other angles between the forces. [4]
© UCLES 2018 9709/41/M/J/18
35
100 N
P
1Å

30Å

A particle P of mass 8 kg is on a smooth plane inclined at an angle of 30Å to the horizontal. A force
of magnitude 100 N, making an angle of 1Å with a line of greatest slope and lying in the vertical plane
containing the line of greatest slope, acts on P (see diagram).

(i) Given that P is in equilibrium, show that 1 = 66.4, correct to 1 decimal place, and find the normal
reaction between the plane and P. [4]
© UCLES 2018 9709/41/M/J/18

36
3N

2N

60Å 1Å

PN

The three coplanar forces shown in the diagram have magnitudes 3 N, 2 N and P N. Given that the
three forces are in equilibrium, find the values of 1 and P. [4]

© UCLES 2018 9709/42/M/J/18

37
8N 12 N
30Å
60Å
18 N

Coplanar forces of magnitudes 8 N, 12 N and 18 N act at a point in the directions shown in the diagram.
Find the magnitude and direction of the single additional force acting at the same point which will
produce equilibrium. [6]
© UCLES 2018 9709/43/M/J/18

38
A

45Å 2.5 N

A smooth ring R of mass m kg is threaded on a light inextensible string ARB. The ends of the string
are attached to fixed points A and B with A vertically above B. The string is taut and angle ARB = 90Å.
The angle between the part AR of the string and the vertical is 45Å. The ring is held in equilibrium
in this position by a force of magnitude 2.5 N, acting on the ring in the direction BR (see diagram).
Calculate the tension in the string and the mass of the ring. [4]
© UCLES 2018 9709/42/O/N/18
39
A

70Å
PN
R
45Å

A small smooth ring R of mass 0.2 kg is threaded onto a light inextensible string ARB. The two ends
of the string are attached to points A and B on a sloping roof inclined at 45Å to the horizontal. A
horizontal force of magnitude P N, acting in the plane ARB, is applied to the ring. The section BR
of the string is perpendicular to the roof and the section AR of the string is inclined at 70Å to the
horizontal (see diagram). The system is in equilibrium. Find the tension in the string and the value
of P. [4]
© UCLES 2018 9709/43/O/N/18

40
78 N

50 N
! 1

112 N

Given that tan ! = 12

5
and tan 1 = 34 , show that the coplanar forces shown in the diagram are in
equilibrium. [3]
© UCLES 2019 9709/41/M/J/19
41
40 N

17 N
55Å

1Å 20Å
32 N

PN

Coplanar forces of magnitudes 40 N, 32 N, P N and 17 N act at a point in the directions shown in the
diagram. The system is in equilibrium. Find the values of P and 1. [6]
© UCLES 2019 9709/42/M/J/19

42
y

30 N

x
25Å

12 N 24 N

Coplanar forces of magnitudes 12 N, 24 N and 30 N act at a point in the directions shown in the
diagram.

(i) Find the components of the resultant of the three forces in the x-direction and in the y-direction.
[4]
(ii) Hence find the direction of the resultant. [2]
43
FN

4.5 N
P 1Å
20Å
A B
60Å

7.5 N

A small ring P is threaded on a fixed smooth horizontal rod AB. Three horizontal forces of magnitudes
4.5 N, 7.5 N and F N act on P (see diagram).

(i) Given that these three forces are in equilibrium, find the values of F and 1. [6]
© UCLES 2019 9709/41/O/N/19

44
5N

P 0.3 kg

0.9 m 1.2 m

A B

A particle P of mass 0.3 kg is held in equilibrium above a horizontal plane by a force of magnitude
5 N, acting vertically upwards. The particle is attached to two strings PA and PB of lengths 0.9 m and
1.2 m respectively. The points A and B lie on the plane and angle APB = 90Å (see diagram). Find the
tension in each of the strings. [5]
© UCLES 2019 9709/42/O/N/19
45
4P N

3P N

30Å
30Å 1Å

PN

20 N

Coplanar forces of magnitudes 20 N, P N, 3P N and 4P N act at a point in the directions shown in the
diagram. The system is in equilibrium.

Find P and 1. [6]

© UCLES 2020 9709/42/M/J/20

46
40 N

FN

!Å 60Å
45Å 30Å
20 N

50 N

Four coplanar forces of magnitudes 40 N, 20 N, 50 N and F N act at a point in the directions shown in
the diagram. The four forces are in equilibrium.

Find F and !. [6]

© UCLES 2020 9709/43/M/J/20
47
8N
PN
1Å 30Å
45Å 12 N

10 N

Coplanar forces of magnitudes 8 N, 12 N, 10 N and P N act at a point in the directions shown in the
diagram. The system is in equilibrium.

Find P and 1. [6]

© UCLES 2020 9709/41/O/N/20

48
45Å 60Å

TN 20 N

m kg

A block of mass m kg is held in equilibrium below a horizontal ceiling by two strings, as shown in the
diagram. One of the strings is inclined at 45Å to the horizontal and the tension in this string is T N.
The other string is inclined at 60Å to the horizontal and the tension in this string is 20 N.

Find T and m. [5]

© UCLES 2020 9709/42/O/N/20
49
40 N

FN

!Å 60Å
45Å 30Å
20 N

50 N

Four coplanar forces of magnitudes 40 N, 20 N, 50 N and F N act at a point in the directions shown in
the diagram. The four forces are in equilibrium.

Find F and !. [6]

© UCLES 2020 9709/43/M/J/20